Seattle's 48 Best Sandwiches: One-Of-A-Kind Faves

Some sammies are hard to categorize, but oh so easy to swallow

By:
Allison Austin Scheff and Lorna Yee

Posted January 01, 1970

ELK MEATBALL NettletownEastlakeOrder an elk meatball sandwich ($8) and you, too, can appreciate how these lean, flavorful and impeccably shaped oval meatballs are carefully tucked inside a crusty Le Fournil loaf, then topped with a bracing mix of herb salad and pickled veggies.WILD BOAR SLOPPY JOEQuinn’sCapitol HillThe lowly ’50s dinner staple is given an upscale spin at Quinn’s, where the slightly gamy meat is spooned over a buttery brioche bun, then crowned with crispy sage leaves, fried onions and a fried jalapeño. There’s a definite kick to this Joe ($10).

SHAWARMAMawadda CaféHillman CityDuck into Mawadda and order the sensational lamb shawarma ($5.99), which is decked out in onions and tomato-and-garlic sauce on griddle-warmed pita. Your breath will reek for days, but your stomach will be smiling.

CATFISH PO’ BOYKingfish CaféCapitol HillThe catfish po’ boy ($8.50) at Kingfish Cafe is a sandwich that requires a fork. Tender fried hunks of catfish are drizzled with a spicy “Dixie” tartar sauce, then dressed up with pickles, lettuce and tomatoes on a soft hoagie roll.RUSTIC HAM AND CHEESEMelt Café - CLOSEDMagnoliaAt Melt Café, you get three options: Order a “Classic” if you prefer your sandwich as listed, a “Melt Me” if you desire one toasted, and a “Piled High” if you’re a meat-avore who needs the extra protein and a scoop of caramelized onions, too. For less than $10, the Rustic Ham and Cheese was a sweet deal that comes with hand-carved slices of smoked ham, shingled pieces of Brie and mustard on an excellent Macrina baguette.

TAIWANESE EGG Café HappyKirklandWhat a find! The Taiwanese egg sandwich ($6.59) at Kirkland’s pocket-size Café Happy is like no other: soy ham, chili and hoisin sauces, and a perfectly fried egg all on a pillowy steamed char siu bao bun.

MEATBALL AND SPAGHETTI SUBSpring HillWest SeattleWhether you’re in training for the Ironman or just someone who likes carbs with more carbs, the meatball and spaghetti sub ($10), available on Monday nights, is the ticket. Two enormous meatballs and red-sauced spaghetti are cradled under a blanket of melted provolone and mozzarella for a delizioso dinner that’ll leave you stuffed—until next Monday.vegan SPICY JAMAICAN TEMPEH WRAPPlum Vegan BistroCapitol Hill If the word “vegan” immediately brings to mind the image of a wan, sad little sandwich, think again. Plum Vegan’s Jamaican tempeh wrap ($11) is robustly flavored with a kicky jalapeño aioli, fresh spinach leaves, pickled sweet peppers and onions, and juicy tangerine slices all bundled in a hearty wheat wrap.

One-Of-A-Kind FavesTaiwanese Egg Café Happy Kirkland What a find! The Taiwanese egg sandwich ($6.59) at Kirkland’s pocket-size Café Happy is like no other: soy ham, chili and hoisin sauces, and a perfectly fried egg all on a pillowy steamed char siu bao bun.

Meatball And Spaghetti Sub Spring Hill West Seattle Whether you’re in training for the Ironman or just someone who likes carbs with more carbs, the meatball and spaghetti sub ($10), available on Monday nights, is the ticket. Two enormous meatballs and red-sauced spaghetti are cradled under a blanket of melted provolone and mozzarella for a delizioso dinner that’ll leave you stuffed—until next Monday.

Pork Burger Facing East Taiwanese Restaurant Bellevue Tender slices of pork belly with cilantro, pickled mustard greens and a sweet-salty peanut topping, all stuffed into a Chinese steamed bun ($3.25), make us wish someone would open up a franchise and sell these by the sackful.

PORK BURGER Facing East Taiwanese Restaurant Bellevue Tender slices of pork belly with cilantro, pickled mustard greens and a sweet-salty peanut topping, all stuffed into a Chinese steamed bun ($3.25), make us wish someone would open up a franchise and sell these by the sackful.